Ways Forward in Addictions Programming in the Canadian Arctic
Addiction programming in Northwest Territories must be culturally relevant and based on the voices and needs of a majority Indigenous population. Photo: The Gordon Foundation
Through a partnership with the Gordon Foundation, The Arctic Institute is publishing a series of papers on Canadian Arctic policy critiques and solutions written by Jane Glassco Northern Fellows. The Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship Program recognizes the leadership potential of northern Canadians aged 25-35 who are passionate about addressing emerging policy challenges and building a strong North. During the 18-month program, Fellows deepen their understanding of important northern issues, and develop the skills to articulate and advance their ideas and policy research. Fellows publish individual and group policy research papers. For more information, please visit The Gordon Foundation website and follow the Fellowship on Twitter.
- Turning to Traditional Processes for Supporting Mental Health
- Education Policy to Supports On-Land Learning in Northwest Territories
- Treaties, Modern Negotiation, and Indigenous Resource Management in the Canadian Arctic
- School Curriculum for Arctic Youth Must Include Land Claim Agreements
- Balancing Worldviews: Climate Change Solutions in Canada’s North
- Indigenous Language, Community, and Legends in Post-Secondary Education
The Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions found that the cost of substance abuse is the highest in the Northern Territories compared to the other Canadian provinces. The Northwest Territories healthcare costs per person attributed to substance use was the second highest in the country at $723 per person.
In addition, media continues to shed light on the issues of substance use in the North. For example, a news report was published in 2019 about a drug bust in Fort Simpson where 60 grams of crack cocaine were seized with a street value of $18,000. The article sheds light on an increasing issue of addiction to drugs in the community.
Addiction programming and related services offered by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories (NWT), are not always culturally relevant to the Indigenous population, nor do they appear to take the voices of the community into full consideration when developing services and programming. With over half the population being Indigenous in Fort Simpson, there needs to be more culturally relevant programming and services truly based on the voices and needs of the people.
Kristen Tanche is Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation, Dehcho Dene. She is also of Icelandic and settler Canadian ancestry. She was raised in Wynyard, Saskatchewan, and Whati, Gameti, Yellowknife and Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. As a young adult she returned to her mother’s home community of Fort Simpson to re-connect with her family, community and Dene culture.